Apparatus For Stretching and Yoga and Method Of Using

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for stretching and yoga and method of use for the same. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a cord, one or more protuberances along the length of the cord, a loop at the first end of the cord, and an end piece at the second end of the cord. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a loop at the first end of the cord and a loop at the second end of the cord. The apparatus allows a practitioner to extend her reach, e.g., behind her back, over her head, or beyond her legs. The protuberances allow the practitioner to make certain adjustments before or during the yoga or exercise. After some practice, the practitioner may be able to shift from using one protuberance to using the next protuberance. By using the next protuberance, the practitioner will either stretch further or receive less assistance, depending on the exercise being performed. The apparatus may be used in performing yoga, exercise, or physical therapy, as well as in the transportation or storage of a yoga or exercise mat.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus used in exercising, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for stretching and yoga.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many yoga positions, forms of yoga practice, and related forms of stretching and exercise can be performed without any special accessories. However, during the learning process, in the practice of difficult positions, or when yoga is used in physical therapy or hospital settings, there can be a need for an extended reach or additional support. Yoga practitioners have been known to use straps or cords, often comprising loops, such as those described in international publication number WO 03/018139, Method and Apparatus for Performing Stretching Exercises, by Flynn; or, U.S. Pat. No. 6,368,255, Device for Stretching and Yoga, to Chan-Rouse. These devices are often called yoga straps. The devices in the prior art aid practitioners in positioning their appendages or stretching while performing yoga or exercising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides for an apparatus for stretching and yoga, e.g., a yoga cord having one or more protuberances along its length. The one or more protuberances may allow the practitioner to easily have a firm grasp and avoid slipping. The one or more protuberances may also allow the practitioner to make certain adjustments before or during the yoga or exercise. In an embodiment comprising a plurality of protuberances, a practitioner may be able to shift from grasping one protuberance to grasping the next protuberance. By using the next protuberance, the practitioner will either stretch further or receive less assistance, depending on the particular exercise being performed. Further, the use of protuberances may allow a practitioner to avoid catching an appendage in an unsafe or compromising position.

The yoga cord may contain additional features as well. In at least one aspect of the invention, the first end of the cord may be defined by a small loop. The small loop may be used to hold a practitioner's appendage in place or to aid in stretching or positioning the practitioner's appendage. In another aspect of the invention, an end piece may be disposed on the second end of the cord. In one embodiment, the end piece may be a securely attached component that differs from the one or more protuberances along the length of the yoga cord. In another embodiment, the end piece may be a protuberance. A continuous closed large loop may be formed from the apparatus by securing the end piece of the second end of the cord to the small loop of the first end of the cord. Such a continuous closed large loop can be used during the practice of yoga or exercise to position an appendage or aid the practitioner in stretching. Alternatively, such a continuous closed large loop can be used to secure a yoga mat in a rolled position for ease of transportation or storage.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is a loop at the first end of the apparatus and there is a loop at the second end of the apparatus. In an exemplary embodiment, the loops may be of differing sizes, with the larger loop of sufficient size to hold more than one appendage of the practitioner or to function as a carrying strap or shoulder strap.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the apparatus is an exercise apparatus adapted to assist a person exercising, comprising a cord between 3 and 6 feet in length, further comprising a first end and a second end, and further comprising a plurality of protuberances along the cord spaced between 6 and 10 inches apart.

Also included in the present invention is a method for performing yoga or exercising, the method employing a cord with protuberances along its length. One step of the method involves determining an amount of support by selecting from the plurality of protuberances, and another step of the method involves the user of the apparatus being supported by a portion of the cord determined by the selection from the plurality of protuberances. In one embodiment of the method, the type of exercise performed is practicing at least one yoga position.

The apparatus may be used by practitioners with a variety of skill levels, from beginner skill level to expert skill level. Further, the apparatus may be used by practitioners with a variety of goals, including but not limited to practitioners training for personal fitness and practitioners in therapeutic settings such as physical therapy sessions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, and instruments shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a yoga cord, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a loop at only one end of the yoga cord;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the yoga cord from FIG. 1 in use by a yoga practitioner, showing an unobstructed view of the aspects of the yoga cord that are concealed by the hand of the yoga practitioner, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a yoga cord, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a loop at both ends of the yoga cord;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the yoga cord from FIG. 3 in use by a yoga practitioner.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of the yoga cord from FIG. 3 in use by a yoga practitioner.

FIG. 6 illustrates the yoga cord being used by a practitioner as a carrying strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Yoga straps have traditionally aided yoga practitioners in positioning their appendages, stretching, or reaching while performing yoga. The present invention presents a novel method and apparatus that may deploy one or more protuberances along the length of the device, enabling the user of the invention to enjoy the benefits of extended reach and additional support, while at the same time allowing the practitioner to easily grasp and hold the device in position while stretching, enabling the practitioner to easily determine the progress she has made, allowing for adjustment before and during the exercise, and offering simplicity, convenience, and safety.

As used herein, the term “cord” is used broadly to refer to a strap, rope, band, string, belt, or other pliable length of material of suitable shape and form. The term “protuberance” refers to any bulge, knob, or swelling along the length of the cord or strap of suitable shape and form. In an exemplary embodiment, the protuberance is a knot. The term “practitioner” refers to a person using the invention. The practitioner is sometimes referred to herein by the pronoun “she”, but the practitioner may be male or female.

Cords of the prior art having adjustable loops or a plurality of loops may be customizable in the length of the device for particular individuals or for particular body positions. However, there are several disadvantages inherent in the use of cords comprising such loops. The exercise or yoga session may need to be interrupted in order to adjust loops. Alternatively, a session may need to be interrupted in order to remove an appendage from one loop so that it may be placed into another loop. Further, the use of a plurality of loops can be cumbersome, and a practitioner may be injured if she loses her balance while performing certain exercises while an appendage is constrained by a loop. Further still, it may difficult to easily set goals and determine the level of progress that a practitioner has attained through the use of an adjustable loop.

Traditional yoga cords without loops have other disadvantages. Without loops, these devices can be difficult to grasp and hold in position while stretching. Further, as is the case with certain cords with loops, it can be difficult to easily determine the level of progress that a practitioner has attained through the use of a strap or cord with no loops.

In view of the above, a need exists for an apparatus for stretching and yoga, e.g., a yoga cord, that will allow a practitioner of yoga to enjoy the benefits of extended reach and additional support, while at the same time allowing the practitioner to easily grasp and hold the device in position while stretching, enabling the practitioner to easily determine the progress she has made, requiring minimal adjustment before and during the exercise, and offering simplicity, convenience, and safety.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an apparatus, generally designated as 100, for stretching and yoga, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 comprises a cord 110 having protuberances 120, 121, 122, and 123 along its length. Using the apparatus 100, a practitioner can enjoy the benefits of extended reach and additional support of a traditional yoga cord. The apparatus 100 may allow the practitioner to extend her reach, e.g., behind her back, over her head, or beyond her legs. The cord 110 is preferably flexible, strong, and nonslippery. The cord 110 is preferably a length of rope, with fibers or strings twisted or braided together to enhance tensile strength. However, the use of a twisted or braided rope is not necessary to practice the invention, and a strap, string, or other pliable length of material may be substituted for rope. The rope can be made from natural materials such as hemp, linen, cotton, coir, jute, or sisal. Alternatively, such rope can be made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene, nylon, polyesters, polyethylene, aramids, or polyaramids. It may be preferable to form the rope from materials that are known to be resistant to wear and resistant to becoming soiled when exposed to repeated stretching, to the sweat of practitioners, and to elevated temperatures that may be accompany certain yoga environments. Further, the possible materials may vary from those listed herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the cord 110 is between 3 and 6 feet, however, different lengths may be used to accommodate practitioners of different sizes or practitioners of different systems of yoga teachings.

Protuberances 120, 121, 122, and 123 may allow a practitioner to easily have a firm grasp and avoid slipping. In the illustrated embodiment, the protuberances 120, 121, 122, and 123 are all the same shape, color, material, and density. However, the protuberances 120, 121, 122, and 123 are of differing sizes. In alternative embodiments, the protuberances may be uniform or the protuberances may vary in shape, size, color, material, and density. In embodiments where the protuberances are not uniform, the practitioner may know which protuberance she is holding because of, for example, tactile feedback, even if the practitioner is unable to see the protuberance in her hand due to poor vision, low levels of environmental light, or practicing a yoga position that requires the protuberance in her hand to be out of her line of sight. For example, such tactile feedback may be accomplished through an exemplary embodiment in which the protuberances alternate between a larger less dense protuberance and a smaller more dense protuberance. Further, in alternative embodiments, the protuberances may vary in numerosity. In the illustrated embodiment, the protuberances 120, 121, 122, and 123 are evenly spaced along the cord. However, in alternative embodiments, the protuberances may be spaced unevenly along the cord. In the illustrated embodiment, the protuberances 120, 121, 122, and 123 are knots. However, in alternative embodiments, the protuberances can comprise beads or any other suitable bulges, knobs, or swellings. In the illustrated embodiment, the protuberances 120, 121, 122, and 123 are spaced evenly every 6 to 10 inches along its length. However, in alternative embodiments, the distance between protuberances may vary from that of the preferred embodiment to accommodate practitioners of different sizes or practitioners of different systems of yoga teachings.

The cord 110 comprises a first end 130 and a second end 140. The first end 130 of the cord 110 is defined by a loop. The loop defined by the first end 130 may be of suitable size to encircle a hand, foot, or limb of a practitioner. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 140 is similar to a protuberance along the length of the cord. In alternative embodiments, the second end may differ in shape, size, or material from the protuberances along the length of the cord. The second end 140 is preferably small enough so that the second end 140 can be manipulated to fit through the loop defined by the first end 130, but the second end 140 should be large enough that it can be trapped by the loop defined by the first end 130, so that the first end 130 and second end 140 are joined to form a continuous closed large loop from the cord 110. Such a continuous closed large loop can be used during the practice of yoga or exercise to position an appendage or aid the practitioner in stretching. Alternatively, such a continuous closed large loop can be used to secure a yoga mat in a rolled position for ease of transportation or storage.

The second end 140 may also be used by the practitioner to secure an appendage in a desired position or to aid in stretching while practicing yoga or exercising. For example, the practitioner can secure the second end 140 between or behind the digits of the practitioner's hand or foot before pulling the rope in such a manner so as to position or stretch part of the practitioner's body secured by the second end 140.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows practitioner 210 using the apparatus 100. In this view, the practitioner's foot 220 is secured by the first end 130, and practitioner 210 is grasping the cord 110 with the aid of a protuberance 122. A less experienced or less flexible practitioner may grasp the cord 110 with the aid of protuberance 123 instead. After practicing the yoga pose and progressing in skill level, practitioner 210 may release protuberance 122 and reach with her hand 230 to protuberance 121. When grasping the cord 110 with the aid of protuberance 121, practitioner 210 will reach and stretch further than she did while grasping the cord 110 with the aid of protuberance 122. FIG. 2 illustrates just one of many possible yoga poses and positions that may be achieved by practitioner 210 with the aid of the apparatus 100.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a yoga cord, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment 300 of the present invention having a loop at both the first end 330 and the second end 340 of the yoga cord. In this embodiment, the loop at the first end 330 is larger than the loop at the second end 340.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the yoga cord 300 in use by a yoga practitioner 210. In this figure, the right foot 220 and the left foot 321 of the practitioner 210 are both held by the large loop at the first end 330 as the practitioner 210 engages in stretching.

FIG. 5 illustrates another perspective view of the yoga cord 300 in use by a yoga practitioner 210. In this figure, the right foot 220 is held by the loop at the first end 330 while the left foot 321 is held by the loop at the second end 340 as the practitioner 210 engages in stretching.

FIG. 6 illustrates the yoga cord 100 being used by a practitioner 210 as a carrying strap for a rolled yoga mat 600. The yoga cord 100 may be wrapped around a yoga mat 600 for ease of storage of the yoga mat 600 in a rolled state. Alternatively the yoga cord 100 may be wrapped around a yoga mat 600 for ease of transportation of the yoga mat 600 in a rolled state, with the practitioner able to carry the yoga mat 600 by placing the first end 330 over her shoulder.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. Specific dimensions of any particular embodiment are described for illustration purposes only. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention. 

1. An apparatus for aiding a practitioner of yoga in a variety of yoga positions, comprising: a cord comprising a first end and a second end; and at least one protuberance along the cord.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cord further comprises a loop defining the first end.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an end piece disposed on the second end of the cord, wherein the end piece is of a small enough size that the practitioner can manipulate the end piece to fit through the loop at the first end, and wherein said end piece is of a large enough size so that the end piece can be ensnared by the loop at the first end.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the cord is between 3 and 6 feet in length.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one protuberance comprises a plurality of protuberances along the cord, which protuberances are spaced between 6 and 10 inches apart.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the at least one protuberance comprises a plurality of protuberances along the cord, which protuberances are spaced between 6 and 10 inches apart.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the cord is comprised of rope.
 8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one protuberance comprises a plurality of protuberances along the cord, which protuberances are spaced between 6 and 10 inches apart.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the cord is comprised of rope.
 10. An exercise apparatus adapted to assist a person exercising, comprising: a cord between 3 and 6 feet in length; said cord having a first end and a second end; and said cord having a plurality of protuberances along the cord spaced between 6 and 10 inches apart.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the cord is comprised of rope; the protuberances along the cord consist of protuberances that differ in size; a portion of the cord defines a loop at the first end; and an end piece is attached to the second end, wherein said end piece is of a small enough size that the practitioner can manipulate the end piece to fit through the loop at the first end, and wherein said end piece is of a large enough size so that the end piece can be ensnared by the loop at the first end.
 12. The exercise apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the cord is comprised of rope; a portion of the cord defines a loop at the first end; and a portion of the cord defines a loop at the second end.
 13. A method of exercising with support from an exercise apparatus comprising a cord having a plurality of protuberances along the length of the cord, the method comprising: determining an amount of support by selecting from the plurality of protuberances; and supporting a person exercising with a portion of the cord determined by the selection from the plurality of protuberances.
 14. The method of exercising of claim 13, further comprising the steps of: determining a new amount of support by making a new selection from the plurality of protuberances; and supporting a person exercising with a portion of the cord determined by the new selection from the plurality of protuberances.
 15. The method of exercising of claim 14, wherein the exercising is practicing at least one yoga position.
 16. The method of exercising of claim 15, the method further comprising the step of determining a range of motion by selecting from the plurality of protuberances.
 17. The method of exercising of claim 16, the method further comprising the step of determining a new range of motion by making a new selection from the plurality of protuberances. 